DOCSLIB.ORG

The Classical Past: Greece

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Classical Past: Greece The Classical Past: Greece Why do we remember the glory that was Greece? This resource illustrates and investigates the countless ways that the art, literature, language, and traditions of ancient Greece have inspired and guided the development of Western culture. Grade Level: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12 Collection: Ancient Art Culture/Region: Greece Subject Area: Fine Arts, History and Social Science, Theatre Arts, Visual Arts Activity Type: Art in Depth The Classical Past: Greece can be paired with The Classical Past: Rome to help students compare and contrast the two civilizations. These resources were developed with parallel themes: Greece Rome Who were the Greeks? Who were the Romans? A Celebration of Ideas Public Life an Portraiture Life in Ancient Greece Life in Ancient Rome Gods, Goddesses and Homer Gods, Temples, & Deities The First Plays Literature, Comedy & Spectacle The Hellenistic World The Roman Empire & Beyond WHO WERE THE ANCIENT GREEKS? Linked by Language Being Greek wasn’t determined by borders. Greek colonies dotted the Mediterranean from Syracuse to Asia Minor and from Thrace to North Africa. Nor did Greeks citizens belong to a single political state—Greece was made up of fiercely independent city-states and loosely connected colonies. Language was what set them apart. To be Greek meant to speak Greek. Greek mythology and legends often recall the cultures of the late Bronze Age (1600-1100 BC) such as that of the Mycenaeans, whose warriors inspired the stories about the Trojan War. The people now known as the ancient Greeks emerged following a dark age of cultural decline that ended about 900 BC, just as the brilliant Hellenic civilization began to develop. Over the next eight centuries, the Greeks created a legacy that has inspired Western culture throughout the following millennia. We do not imitate but are models for others. (Perikles) Greek art, like Greek literature, political thought, science, and philosophy, lies at the heart of the western tradition. Though the Greeks freely drew from other cultures, they have provided models that many others have followed for much of the past 2500 years. CENTERS OF GREEK CULTURE Although there were eventually over 1,000 Greek city-states, a few rose to prominence and became centers of Greek culture. Sparta Sparta, a city-state governed by an oligarchy (rule by a few), dominated the valley of the Eurotas River in the Peloponnese (an area in the peninsula of Southern Greece just below Corinth) after about 600 BC. Although their society was stern and militaristic, Spartans also produced widely-admired lyric poetry and lovely pottery, such as this aryballos (small container) from the 6th century BC. Aryballos (Oil Bottle), Greek (Spartan, also called Laconian), 6th century BC, terracotta, Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund, 80.170 Athens Named for the goddess Athena, Athens was the birthplace of democracy. Athena, adorned with olive leaves, appears on the front) of this Athenian coin (470–450 BC). An owl, associated with Athena’s wisdom, appears on its back. Corinth Strategically placed on the narrow isthmus that connects the Peloponnese with the rest of Greece, Corinth built a wealthy, far-reaching shipping network. Its exports included beautiful Corinthian pottery such as this aryballos. Aryballos, Greek (Protocorinthian), mid-7th century BC, terracotta, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Fund, 60.22 Thebes According to mythology a Phoenician named Cadmus founded Thebes, the major city of Boeotia in central Greece, by planting dragon’s teeth in the ground. This Theban coin from the early 4th century BC depicts a type of shield known as a Boeotian shield, named for the region. Coin (Stater), Greek (Thebes), early 4th century BC, metal alloy, Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund, 63.13.5 A CELEBRATION OF IDEAS Greek city-states varied greatly in their essential character, their forms of government, and even in the dialect of Greek that they spoke. Many different aspects of Western culture, from architectural styles to scientific concepts, grew out of this mix of ideas and customs. One of the most important threads in this rich heritage was the emphasis given to human achievements. Greeks, particularly in Athens, celebrated the concept of the individual and the importance of freedom. The symposium, a drinking party that included poetry and music, provided an excellent forum for exploring these new ideas and artistic creations. Surviving guest lists of symposia include the names of politicians and poets, soldiers and scoundrels—as well as the three great philosophers of ancient Greece: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The scene that appears around the top of this rhyton (drinking vessel) shows men enjoying a symposium (see detail below). Red-figured Ram’s Head Rhyton (Drinking Cup), Greek (Attic), attributed to attributed Triptolemos (Painter), attributed to Charinos, Greek (Potter), ca. 480 BC, terracotta, Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund, 79.100 During a symposium, wine was mixed with water in vessels called kraters. This krater shows Eos, the rosy-fingered goddess of the dawn, pursuing the hero Cephalos. Red-Figured Kalyx-Krater (Mixing Bowl), Greek (Attic), Attributed to the Nikias Painter, 5th century BC, terracotta, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Fund, 81.70 Each participant at the symposium drank from his own cup, like this kylix that features eyes and a nose on the outside (at right) and the head of the gorgon (snake-headed monster) Medusa surrounded by concentric circles on the inside (image below). When drinking from this cup, it would appear as though the drinker was wearing a mask. Black-figured Eye-Cup (Kylix), Greek (Attic), signed by the Potter Nikosthenes, 6th century BC, terracotta, Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund, 62.1.11 Both the eyes and gorgoneia (images of gorgons) were thought to ward off evil (detail of cup interior). Black-figured Eye-Cup (Kylix), Greek (Attic), signed by the Potter Nikosthenes, 6th century BC, terracotta, Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund, 62.1.11 LIFE IN ANCIENT GREECE Trade The rocky soil and mountainous terrain of mainland Greece made farming difficult, so many Greeks relied on trade and the sea. They made beautiful pottery and became master shipbuilders and traders, sailing the Mediterranean and exchanging olives, olive oil, wine, and pottery for grain and other commodities. This amphora shows two young men carrying an amphora, a large terracotta storage vessel used for transporting wine and olive oil. Black-figured Amphora, Greek (Attic), attributed to the Painter of the Hypobibazon Class, ca. 500 BC, terracotta, Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund, 62.1.5 Dress Greeks dressed in simple clothing, like the chitons worn by the women on this Red-figured Pelike (ceramic container). A cloak, such as chlamys or a himation, could be added for warmth. Red-figured Pelike, Greek (Attic), attributed to Eucharides Painter, ca. 480 BC, terracotta, Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund, 62.1.13 Athletics Greek athletic competitions celebrated the human form, the quest for excellence, and readiness for warfare. From the time of the first Olympic Games (776 BC), which were held in honor of Zeus, Greek male citizens competed in footraces. Later, discus throwing, wrestling, boxing, and chariot racing, like the race shown on this lekythos (narrow ceramic container), were added to the games. Black-Figure Lekythos, Greek (Attic), ca. 510-500 BC, terracotta, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Fund, 60.21 Athletes applied perfumed oils, poured from small containers called aryballoi (the plural form of aryballos), to their bodies and then cleaned off dirt and sweat by scraping their skin with an instrument called a strigil. Warfare Conflicts between Greek city-states were frequent and fought by citizens who served as soldiers. Greek forces also turned back two massive Persian invasions in 490 BC and 480 BC. This bronze helmet dates from the era of the Peloponnesian War, a terrible internal conflict between Athens and Sparta that disrupted the entire Greek world from 431 to 404 BC. This South Italian variant of a Corinthian helmet was surmounted by crests of horsehair or feathers attached to the three bronze prongs projecting from Apulo-Corinthian Helmet, Greek (Southern the top. The Corinthian helmet was popular Italian), 5th century BC, Bronze, Arthur and throughout the Greek world because it was easily Margaret Glasgow Fund, 2004.3 made from a single sheet of hammered bronze and hid almost the entire face of its wearer, presenting the enemy with a frightening sight. GODS, GODDESSES & HOMER In addition to language, ancient Greeks shared a polytheistic religion (belief in many gods) and a cultural heritage expressed first through oral poetry and later through literature. Religious observances were made daily at household altars and local temples. Here, on the left, Apollo, son of Zeus and god of music and poetry, pours an offering of wine onto a low altar. His twin sister Artemis, goddess of the hunt, appears on the other side of the vessel, shown at right. Homeric Epics Much of our knowledge of Greek religion comes from ancient poems and epic cycles, such as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. These oral compositions, which became standardized in form around the 8th century BC, have served as the foundation for Western literature. Although the Iliad tells the story of only the last days of the Trojan War, Greeks knew the entire story from other poems and stories. A scene on this amphora (left) shows Hermes leading Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite to the famous beauty contest known as the “Judgment of Paris.” Each goddess offered a bribe to Paris, the Trojan prince. Aphrodite won by offering him Helen, the most beautiful woman on Earth. Unfortunately, Helen was already married to the King of Sparta. When Paris claimed his prize and sailed for Troy, ships full of Greek warriors followed.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Princeton/Stanford Working Papers in Classics
    Princeton/Stanford Working Papers in Classics The eighth-century revolution Version 1.0 December 2005 Ian Morris Stanford University Abstract: Through most of the 20th century classicists saw the 8th century BC as a period of major changes, which they characterized as “revolutionary,” but in the 1990s critics proposed more gradualist interpretations. In this paper I argue that while 30 years of fieldwork and new analyses inevitably require us to modify the framework established by Snodgrass in the 1970s (a profound social and economic depression in the Aegean c. 1100-800 BC; major population growth in the 8th century; social and cultural transformations that established the parameters of classical society), it nevertheless remains the most convincing interpretation of the evidence, and that the idea of an 8th-century revolution remains useful © Ian Morris. [email protected] 1 THE EIGHTH-CENTURY REVOLUTION Ian Morris Introduction In the eighth century BC the communities of central Aegean Greece (see figure 1) and their colonies overseas laid the foundations of the economic, social, and cultural framework that constrained and enabled Greek achievements for the next five hundred years. Rapid population growth promoted warfare, trade, and political centralization all around the Mediterranean. In most regions, the outcome was a concentration of power in the hands of kings, but Aegean Greeks created a new form of identity, the equal male citizen, living freely within a small polis. This vision of the good society was intensely contested throughout the late eighth century, but by the end of the archaic period it had defeated all rival models in the central Aegean, and was spreading through other Greek communities.
    [Show full text]
  • Creating the Past: Roman Villa Sculptures
    ��������������������������������� Creating the Past: Roman Villa Sculptures Hadrian’s pool reflects his wide travels, from Egypt to Greece and Rome. Roman architects recreated old scenes, but they blended various elements and styles to create new worlds with complex links to ideal worlds. Romans didn’t want to live in the past, but they wanted to live with it. Why “creating” rather than “recreating” the past? Most Roman sculpture was based on Greek originals 100 years or more in the past, but these Roman copies, in their use & setting, created a view of the past as the Romans saw it. In towns, such as Pompeii, houses were small, with little room for large gardens (the normal place for statues), so sculpture was under life-size and highlighted. The wall frescoes at Pompeii or Boscoreale (as in the reconstructed room at the Met) show us what the buildings and the associated sculptures looked like. Villas, on the other hand, were more expansive, generally sited by the water and had statues, life-size or larger, scattered around the gardens. Pliny’s villas, as he describes them in his letters, show multiple buildings, seemingly haphazardly distributed, connected by porticoes. Three specific villas give an idea of the types the Villa of the Papyri near Herculaneum (1st c. AD), Tiberius’ villa at Sperlonga from early 1st century (described also in CHSSJ April 1988 lecture by Henry Bender), and Hadrian’s villa at Tivoli (2nd cent AD). The Villa of Papyri, small and self-contained, is still underground, its main finds having been reached by tunneling; the not very scientific excavation left much dispute about find-spots and the villa had seen upheaval from the earthquake of 69 as well as the Vesuvius eruption of 79.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 4, Section 1
    Hellenistic Civilization 324 - 100 BC Philip II of Macedonia . The Macedonians were viewed as barbarians. By the 5th century BC, the Macedonians had emerged as a powerful kingdom in the north. In 359 BC, Philip II became king, and he turned Macedonia into the chief power in the Greek world. Philip II Philip II of Macedonia . The Macedonians were viewed as barbarians. By the 5th century BC, the Macedonians had emerged as a powerful kingdom in the north. In 359 BC, Philip II became king, and he turned Macedonia into the chief power in the Greek world. Philip was a great admirer of Greek culture, and he wanted to unite all of Greece under Macedonian rule. Fearing Philip, Athens allied with a number of other Greek city-states to fight the Macedonians. In 338, the Macedonians crushed the Greeks. After quickly gaining control over most of the Greek city-states, Philip turned to Sparta. He sent them a message, "You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city." . Their reply was “if", both Philip and his son, Alexander, would leave the Spartans alone. By 336 BC, Philip was preparing to invade the Persian Empire when he was assassinated. The murder occurred during the celebration of his daughter’s marriage, while the king was entering the theater, he was killed by the captain his bodyguards. Alexander the Great . Alexander III was born in 356 BC. When Alexander was 13, his father Philip chose Aristotle as his tutor, and in return for teaching Alexander, Philip agreed to rebuild Aristotle's hometown which Philip had razed.
    [Show full text]
  • Agorapicbk-15.Pdf
    Excavations of the Athenian Agora Picture Book No. 1s Prepared by Fred S. Kleiner Photographs by Eugene Vanderpool, Jr. Produced by The Meriden Gravure Company, Meriden, Connecticut Cover design: Coins of Gela, L. Farsuleius Mensor, and Probus Title page: Athena on a coin of Roman Athens Greek and Roman Coins in the Athenian Agora AMERICAN SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL STUDIES AT ATHENS PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 1975 1. The Agora in the 5th century B.C. HAMMER - PUNCH ~ u= REVERSE DIE FLAN - - OBVERSE - DIE ANVIL - 2. Ancient method of minting coins. Designs were cut into two dies and hammered into a flan to produce a coin. THEATHENIAN AGORA has been more or less continuously inhabited from prehistoric times until the present day. During the American excava- tions over 75,000 coins have been found, dating from the 6th century B.c., when coins were first used in Attica, to the 20th century after Christ. These coins provide a record of the kind of money used in the Athenian market place throughout the ages. Much of this money is Athenian, but the far-flung commercial and political contacts of Athens brought all kinds of foreign currency into the area. Other Greek cities as well as the Romans, Byzantines, Franks, Venetians, and Turks have left their coins behind for the modern excavators to discover. Most of the coins found in the excavations were lost and never recovered-stamped into the earth floor of the Agora, or dropped in wells, drains, or cisterns. Consequently, almost all the Agora coins are small change bronze or copper pieces.
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Study on the Relation Between Ancient Chinese Cuju and Modern Football
    2018 4th International Conference on Innovative Development of E-commerce and Logistics (ICIDEL 2018) Historical Study on the Relation between Ancient Chinese Cuju and Modern Football Xiaoxue Liu1, Yanfen Zhang2, and Xuezhi Ma3 1Department of Physical Education, China University of Geosciences, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, P. R. China 2Department of Life Sciences; Xinxiang University, Xinxiang Henan Province, Eastern Section of Hua Lan Road, Hongqi District, Xinxiang City, Henan, China 3Beijing Sport University Wushu School, Information Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Keywords: Ancient Chinese Cuju, Modern Football, Relationship, Development, The Same Origin Abstract: This paper studies on the origin and development of Chinese Cuju through document retrieval. Born in the period of Dongyi civilization, Chinese Cuju began to take shape during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Period, and gradually flourished during the Qin, Han, Tang and Song dynasties. Through the economic and cultural exchange between China and the West in the past ages, Cuju was introduced into Europe when Mongol expedited westward in Yuan Dynasty. Finally, it has become the modern football, which originated from ancient Chinese Cuju and developed from European competition rules and now is widely accepted and popular in the world. 1. The Cultural Background of the Study On July 15th, 2004, Mr. Blatter, the president of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) officially announced in the 3rd session of Soccerex Fair, that football originated in Zibo, the capital of Qi State during the Spring and Autumn Period of ancient China. Cuju (ancient football game) began in China, while modern football (eleven -player game) originated in England.
    [Show full text]
  • The Evolution of Power and Politics in the Mycenaean World and Its Reflection in the Homeric Epic: the Iliad
    Near East University (NEU) Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Department of International Relations The Evolution of Power and Politics in the Mycenaean World and its Reflection in the Homeric Epic: the Iliad By: Nicolaie A. Şorodoc We certify that the thesis is satisfactory for the award of the Degree of Master of International Relations Examining committee: Prof. Dr. Levent Köker Faculty of Law, Department of Law, NEU Prof. Dr. Jouni Suistola Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Department of International Relations, NEU Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul Faculty of Education, Department of History Teaching, NEU Approval of the Graduate School of Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Aykut Polatoğlu 1 Jury Report June, 2010 Student Info: Full Name Nicolaie Alin Şorodoc Faculty Economics and Administrative Sciences Institution Near East University Department International Relations Thesis Info: Title: The Evolution of Power and Politics in the Mycenaean World and its Reflection in the Homeric Epic the Iliad Abstract: This study tries to go beyond the boundaries of present day issues and examine the evolution of power and politics of the Mycenaean people during the Bronze Age. At each stage, be it big-man leadership, chiefdom or state based society I examine how power and social complexity increases and what were the reasons behind such a phenomenon. I start with some few considerations regarding developments during the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age and then I jump to the question of the “coming of the Greeks.” I argue that any explanation of the political life shall start from early stages; it is only then that we might get a measured insight in respect to the workings of political and social institutions.
    [Show full text]
  • Political Crisis in Rhetorical Exercises of the Early Roman Empire Shunichiro Yoshida the University of Tokyo
    ISSN: 2519-1268 Issue 2 (Spring 2017), pp. 39-50 DOI: 10.6667/interface.2.2017.34 Political Crisis in Rhetorical Exercises of the Early Roman Empire SHUNICHIRO YOSHIDA The University of Tokyo Abstract The ancient Romans experienced a great political crisis in the first century B. C. They fought many civil wars, which ended the republic and led to the establishment of the empire. The nature of these civil wars and the new regime was a politically very sensitive question for the next generation and could not be treated in a direct manner. In this paper I shall examine how literature in this age dealt with this sensitive problem. Special attention will be paid on declamations (rhetorical exercises on fictitious themes), which discussed repeatedly themes concerned with political crises such as domestic discord or rule of a tyrant. Keywords: Latin Oratory, Rhetorical Training, Early Roman Empire, Roman Politics © 2017 Shunichiro Yoshida This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. http://interface.ntu.edu.tw/ 39 Political Crisis in Rhetorical Exercises of the Early Roman Empire 1. Politics in Rome in the 1st Century B.C. Rome experienced its greatest political change in the 1st century B.C. Since the latter half of the previous century, its Republican system, which was established in the late 6th century B.C. according to the tradition, proved to contain serious problems. This led to repeated fierce civil wars in Rome. In the middle of the 1st century B.C., Caesar fought against Pompey and other members of the senatorial nobility who tried to defend the traditional system and defeated them completely.
    [Show full text]
  • Republic of Iraq
    Republic of Iraq Babylon Nomination Dossier for Inscription of the Property on the World Heritage List January 2018 stnel oC fobalbaT Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................... 1 State Party .......................................................................................................................................................... 1 Province ............................................................................................................................................................. 1 Name of property ............................................................................................................................................... 1 Geographical coordinates to the nearest second ................................................................................................. 1 Center ................................................................................................................................................................ 1 N 32° 32’ 31.09”, E 44° 25’ 15.00” ..................................................................................................................... 1 Textural description of the boundary .................................................................................................................. 1 Criteria under which the property is nominated .................................................................................................. 4 Draft statement
    [Show full text]
  • Early Mycenaean Arkadia: Space and Place(S) of an Inland and Mountainous Region
    Early Mycenaean Arkadia: Space and Place(s) of an Inland and Mountainous Region Eleni Salavoura1 Abstract: The concept of space is an abstract and sometimes a conventional term, but places – where people dwell, (inter)act and gain experiences – contribute decisively to the formation of the main characteristics and the identity of its residents. Arkadia, in the heart of the Peloponnese, is a landlocked country with small valleys and basins surrounded by high mountains, which, according to the ancient literature, offered to its inhabitants a hard and laborious life. Its rough terrain made Arkadia always a less attractive area for archaeological investigation. However, due to its position in the centre of the Peloponnese, Arkadia is an inevitable passage for anyone moving along or across the peninsula. The long life of small and medium-sized agrarian communities undoubtedly owes more to their foundation at crossroads connecting the inland with the Peloponnesian coast, than to their potential for economic growth based on the resources of the land. However, sites such as Analipsis, on its east-southeastern borders, the cemetery at Palaiokastro and the ash altar on Mount Lykaion, both in the southwest part of Arkadia, indicate that the area had a Bronze Age past, and raise many new questions. In this paper, I discuss the role of Arkadia in early Mycenaean times based on settlement patterns and excavation data, and I investigate the relation of these inland communities with high-ranking central places. In other words, this is an attempt to set place(s) into space, supporting the idea that the central region of the Peloponnese was a separated, but not isolated part of it, comprising regions that are also diversified among themselves.
    [Show full text]
  • The Athenian Agora
    Excavations of the Athenian Agora Picture Book No. 12 Prepared by Dorothy Burr Thompson Produced by The Stinehour Press, Lunenburg, Vermont American School of Classical Studies at Athens, 1993 ISBN 87661-635-x EXCAVATIONS OF THE ATHENIAN AGORA PICTURE BOOKS I. Pots and Pans of Classical Athens (1959) 2. The Stoa ofAttalos II in Athens (revised 1992) 3. Miniature Sculpturefrom the Athenian Agora (1959) 4. The Athenian Citizen (revised 1987) 5. Ancient Portraitsfrom the Athenian Agora (1963) 6. Amphoras and the Ancient Wine Trade (revised 1979) 7. The Middle Ages in the Athenian Agora (1961) 8. Garden Lore of Ancient Athens (1963) 9. Lampsfrom the Athenian Agora (1964) 10. Inscriptionsfrom the Athenian Agora (1966) I I. Waterworks in the Athenian Agora (1968) 12. An Ancient Shopping Center: The Athenian Agora (revised 1993) I 3. Early Burialsfrom the Agora Cemeteries (I 973) 14. Graffiti in the Athenian Agora (revised 1988) I 5. Greek and Roman Coins in the Athenian Agora (1975) 16. The Athenian Agora: A Short Guide (revised 1986) French, German, and Greek editions 17. Socrates in the Agora (1978) 18. Mediaeval and Modern Coins in the Athenian Agora (1978) 19. Gods and Heroes in the Athenian Agora (1980) 20. Bronzeworkers in the Athenian Agora (1982) 21. Ancient Athenian Building Methods (1984) 22. Birds ofthe Athenian Agora (1985) These booklets are obtainable from the American School of Classical Studies at Athens c/o Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, N.J. 08540, U.S.A They are also available in the Agora Museum, Stoa of Attalos, Athens Cover: Slaves carrying a Spitted Cake from Market.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Greek Coins
    Ancient Greek Coins Notes for teachers • Dolphin shaped coins. Late 6th to 5th century BC. These coins were minted in Olbia on the Black Sea coast of Ukraine. From the 8th century BC Greek cities began establishing colonies around the coast of the Black Sea. The mixture of Greek and native currencies resulted in a curious variety of monetary forms including these bronze dolphin shaped items of currency. • Silver stater. Aegina c 485 – 480 BC This coin shows a turtle symbolising the naval strength of Aegina and a punch mark In Athens a stater was valued at a tetradrachm (4 drachms) • Silver staterAspendus c 380 BC This shows wrestlers on one side and part of a horse and star on the other. The inscription gives the name of a city in Pamphylian. • Small silver half drachm. Heracles wearing a lionskin is shown on the obverse and Zeus seated, holding eagle and sceptre on the reverse. • Silver tetradrachm. Athens 450 – 400 BC. This coin design was very poular and shows the goddess Athena in a helmet and has her sacred bird the Owl and an olive sprig on the reverse. Coin values The Greeks didn’t write a value on their coins. Value was determined by the material the coins were made of and by weight. A gold coin was worth more than a silver coin which was worth more than a bronze one. A heavy coin would buy more than a light one. 12 chalkoi = 1 Obol 6 obols = 1 drachm 100 drachma = 1 mina 60 minas = 1 talent An unskilled worker, like someone who unloaded boats or dug ditches in Athens, would be paid about two obols a day.
    [Show full text]
  • Epigraphic Bulletin for Greek Religion 2015 (EBGR 2015)
    Kernos Revue internationale et pluridisciplinaire de religion grecque antique 31 | 2018 Varia Epigraphic Bulletin for Greek Religion 2015 (EBGR 2015) Angelos Chaniotis Electronic version URL: http://journals.openedition.org/kernos/2741 DOI: 10.4000/kernos.2741 ISSN: 2034-7871 Publisher Centre international d'étude de la religion grecque antique Printed version Date of publication: 1 December 2018 Number of pages: 167-219 ISBN: 978-2-87562-055-2 ISSN: 0776-3824 Electronic reference Angelos Chaniotis, “Epigraphic Bulletin for Greek Religion 2015 (EBGR 2015)”, Kernos [Online], 31 | 2018, Online since 01 October 2020, connection on 25 January 2021. URL: http:// journals.openedition.org/kernos/2741 ; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/kernos.2741 This text was automatically generated on 25 January 2021. Kernos Epigraphic Bulletin for Greek Religion 2015 (EBGR 2015) 1 Epigraphic Bulletin for Greek Religion 2015 (EBGR 2015) Angelos Chaniotis To the memory of David Jordan 1 The 28th issue of the EBGR presents epigraphic corpora and new epigraphic finds published in 2015. I have only included a few contributions to the reading and interpretation of old finds as well as a small selection of publications that adduce inscriptions for the study of religious phenomena. I have also summarizes some publications of earlier years that had not been included in earlier issues of the EBGR (2007–2013). 2 In this issue, I summarize the content of new corpora from Athens (34), Macedonia (56. 109), Termessos (64), and Hadrianopolis (79) that mainly contain dedications, but also records of manumission through dedication to deities (56). The two most important new inscriptions are the incantations from Selinous (?), known as the ‘Getty hexameters’ and a cult regulation from Thessaly.
    [Show full text]